Covered ashtray

ABSTRACT

A covered ashtray having an opening in one sidewall or a cover thereof, which permits a tip of a lit cigar or cigarette to be suspended within the interior of the ashtray. Retention structure may be provided to securely retain the cigar or cigarette in position in the opening. The housing and cover may be manufactured as a single unit, or separately, and later connected. Preferably, at least a portion of the cover or housing is openable (e.g. hinged or completely removable) to permit emptying the contents of the ashtray.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to ashtrays, and, more particularly, relates to a covered ashtray having means to suspend the lit end of a cigar or cigarette within an interior of the ashtray.

2. Description of the Prior Art

When smoking a cigar or cigarette, particularly within confined spaces such as inside a building or motor vehicle, the smoke which emanates from the lit end of the cigar or cigarette dissipates, filling the space, and potentially causing discomfort to those who are not smoking

In addition, ashtrays are used to collect the ash material which inevitably falls off of the lit end of the cigar or cigarette.

Any receptacle can be used to collect such ashes. However, no previously proposed ashtray permits the lit end of the cigar or cigarette to be suspended above the ash receptacle, while simultaneously entrapping the smoke emanating from said lit end.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an ashtray which is capable of securely suspending the lit end of a cigar or cigarette above an ash collecting area while the cigar or cigarette is lit.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an ashtray which entraps discharged smoke from the cigar or cigarette while said lit end is supported by the ashtray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With these and other objects in mind, there is disclosed herein a covered ashtray having an opening in one sidewall thereof, which permits a lit cigar or cigarette to be suspended within the interior of the ashtray. Securement structure may be provided to securely retain the cigar or cigarette in position in the opening. The housing and cover may be manufactured as a single unit, or separately, and later connected. Preferably, at least a portion of the cover is openable (e.g. hinged or completely removable) to permit emptying the contents of the ashtray.

Additional apparatus and features may be employed in conjunction with the ashtray disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The features of the invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of an embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 2 is the same view as FIG. 1, but with a cigar/cigarette holding clip shown in an open position.

FIG. 3 is the same view as FIGS. 1 and 2, but with a lid portion of a cover thereof in an open position.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded left front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 shows a mounting structure associated with the housing of the ashtray.

FIG. 6 is a left front perspective view of the housing of the ashtray.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of the cigar/cigarette support shown in FIGS. 1-8.

FIG. 9B is a rear perspective view of the cigar/cigarette support shown in FIGS. 1-8.

FIG. 10 is a right rear perspective view of the clip mechanism shown in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 11 is a right front perspective view of the clip.

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a novel, smoke-entrapping, ashtray suitable for use under virtually any circumstances. In the preferred embodiment, the ashtray 10 is comprised of a housing 12, which may be of any shape (e.g. rectangular, square, round, triangular, etc.), and which defines an interior space 13 adapted to receive discharged ashes from a cigar or cigarette. In the embodiment shown, the housing 12 is comprised of a floor 16 and four sidewalls 18 a-18 d. Housing 12 defines an open top area or top opening 19, as well as a cigar/cigarette receiving aperture 20 defined by sidewall 18 a.

A cover 24, which may have a shape that corresponds to the shape of top opening 19 of housing 12, is adapted to be placed over top opening 19 to thereby create a substantially sealed interior volume other than the receiving aperture 20.

A cigar/cigarette support 26 may be employed adjacent aperture 20 to support the lit end of a cigar or cigarette (not shown) within the interior space defined by housing 12 and cover 24. Support 26 may be integrally incorporated into sidewall 18 a or cover 24, or may be secured thereto by mechanical fastener, such as screws, rivets, adhesive, or the like.

A cigar/cigarette securing or retaining apparatus, such as spring-loaded clip 28, may be associated with support 26 to retain a lit cigar or cigarette in position relative to aperture 20, housing 12 and cover 24. Clip 28 is hingedly connected to support 26, as by way of hinged support posts 31, 33. A pivot pin 35 is used to hingedly connect clip 28 to support posts 31, 33. Pin 35 is placed through apertures in clip 26 as well as corresponding apertures defined by support flanges 37, 39 of clip 28. Clip 28 may employ an arcuate upper member 42 and and a lever 44 with which to open the clip relative to the support 26 so as to permit the insertion or removal of a cigar or cigarette. A biasing means such spring 41 is used in the embodiment shown to releasably retain clip 28 in the closed position shown in FIGS. 1,4-5. By pushing down on lever 44 against the action of spring 41, clip 28 can be opened, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 so that a cigar ain association with the support 26 (if present) and/or aperture 20 is contemplated to be within the scope of this invention.

Support 24 may or may not define a recessed area such as semi-cylindrical cutout 50 therein to cradle a cigar or cigarette when retained through aperture 19.

Cover 20 may have a hingedly supported lid 25 to permit the contents of ashtray 10 to be emptied by inverting ashtray 10 and shaking it. Rather than, or in addition to, an openable feature in cover 24 such as lid 25, an openable structure (not shown) as will occur to those of skill in the art may be employed relative to housing 12 to permit access to the volume defined by housing 12 and cover 24.

Cover 24 may be permanently affixed to housing 12, or be removable therefrom as shown in FIG. 4.

Aperture 19 may be sized and shaped in any way, so long as it can accommodate a lit cigar or cigarette therethrough to cause the lit end thereof to remain within the space 13 defined by housing 12 and cover 22. Aperture 19 may take the form of an elongated slot such as that shown in FIGS. 6-7. Ideally, the smallest aperture should be used which will accommodate the largest size cigar that is likely to be used with the ashtray 10 of this invention.

Optionally, support 24 may be oriented at a slight angle relative to the horizontal so as to urge the cigar or cigarette placed thereon to nestle up against clip 26, providing a greater degree of security, particularly when the ashtray is mounted in a moving vehicle.

Attachment structure, such as fastener 32 (which may be hook and loop material, adhesive, magnet, clip, tongue and groove structure, etc.) for attaching housing 12 to a support surface may optionally be employed to permit removable (or permanent) attachment of the apparatus of this invention to a support surface such as an automobile console, window, dwelling wall, etc.

It is to be appreciated that the ashtray of this invention may be employed in any environment where smoking may occur, including moving vehicles. The enclosed space created by housing 12 and cover 22 entrap the smoke emitted by the lit tip of a cigar or cigarette, greatly reducing, or entirely eliminating, the second-hand smoke in the room/vehicle.

It is also to be appreciated that aperture 19 may be defined by any of the walls of housing 12, or by cover 22, or partially defined by a combination of both. There may be more than one aperture defined by housing 12 and/or cover 22 as well.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments of the present invention. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause or result in such benefits, advantages, or solutions to become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued. 

What is claimed:
 1. An ashtray, comprising: a housing having a floor and one or more sidewalls upstanding therefrom, upper edges of the one or more sidewalls forming a top opening; a cover adapted to fit over the top opening in substantial sealing engagement to form an enclosed volume bounded by the housing and the cover; an aperture defined by one of the one or more sidewalls adapted to permit a lit end of a cigar or cigarette to be suspended within the housing; and a cigar/cigarette support extending substantially horizontally from the housing; wherein when a cigar or cigarette is supported on the support and the lit end of a cigar or cigarette is disposed within the volume, smoke emanating from the lit end will be substantially constrained within the volume.
 2. The ashtray of claim 1, wherein the cover is removably attachable to the housing.
 3. The ashtray of claim 1, wherein the support defines a cigar/cigarette contact surface, the support being oriented in a substantially horizontal orientation such that a cigar or cigarette being supported by the contact surface is held substantially in registry with the aperture.
 4. The ashtray of claim 1, further comprising a means for removably retaining a cigar or cigarette against the support.
 5. The ashtray of claim 4, wherein the means for removably retaining is comprised of a spring loaded clip.
 6. The ashtray of claim 1, further comprising a recessed area defined by the support adapted to partially cradle a cigar or cigarette.
 7. The ashtray of claim 4, further comprising a recessed area defined by the support adapted to partially cradle a cigar or cigarette.
 8. An ashtray, comprising: a hollow housing defining a cigar/cigarette positioning aperture; a support member extending from the housing in proximity to the aperture and adapted to support a cigar or cigarette in registry with the aperture.
 9. The ashtray of claim 8, wherein the housing includes a cover which is removable from the housing.
 10. The ashtray of claim 9, further comprising a lid hingedly connected to the cover, the lid adapted to permit access to the hollow interior of the housing.
 11. The ashtray of claim 8, further comprising a means for removably retaining a cigar or cigarette against the support.
 12. The ashtray of claim 11, wherein the means for removably retaining is comprised of a spring loaded clip.
 13. The ashtray of claim 8, further comprising a recessed area defined by the support adapted to partially cradle a cigar or cigarette.
 14. The ashtray of claim 11, further comprising a recessed area defined by the support adapted to partially cradle a cigar or cigarette.
 15. An ashtray comprising; a housing defining a floor and at least one upstanding sidewall, the at least one sidewall defining a top housing opening; a cover adapted to be placed over and fit in substantially sealing engagement over the top opening so as to define a substantially enclosed volume bounded by the housing and cover; an aperture defined by either the housing or the cover adapted to receive a lit cigar or cigarette so that a lit end of the cigar or cigarette is positioned within the volume so that smoke from the lit end of the cigar or cigarette is retained within the housing; and a support associated with the housing or the cover in proximity to the aperture, the support adapted to support the lit cigar or cigarette in the aperture.
 16. The ashtray of claim 15, wherein the cover is removable from the housing.
 17. The ashtray of claim 15, further comprising a lid hingedly connected to the cover, the lid adapted to permit access to the hollow interior of the housing.
 18. The ashtray of claim 15, further comprising a means for removably retaining a cigar or cigarette against the support.
 19. The ashtray of claim 18, wherein the means for removably retaining is comprised of a spring loaded clip.
 20. The ashtray of claim 15, further comprising a recessed area defined by the support adapted to partially cradle a cigar or cigarette.
 21. The ashtray of claim 18, further comprising a recessed area defined by the support adapted to partially cradle a cigar or cigarette. 